Streamers rabbit hole

@goodlistening64  I can’t speak for the OP but it would be wrong for me. I own the STR Preamp, not the STR Integrated but they are close.

In a multiuse room I rely on Anthem Room Correction. Other room treatments need to take my wife’s passionate hobby, décor, into consideration. I use two subwoofers and want bass management. Home Theater Bypass is a requirement as we have an OLED and AV processor in the same room. My primary 2-channel source is a turntable. Changing out the STR would require adding an MC phono preamp. Space is at a premium since my equipment cabinet does not have a lot of space even with all the amplifiers in a cabinet I built in the crawl space under the family room.

Therefore I would not use the DAC in a streamer and prefer a USB connection to my STR.

I have an STR Preamp and am getting a streamer as well.

As someone that relies on Anthem Room Correction and bass management, I don’t want a unit with a DAC since the Anthem DAC is required to use ARC.

Are you looking for analog XLR inputs from a streamer or as I assume, wanting to use the AES/EBU digital audio input? The STR USB DAC has the highest specifications but I’m sure the AES/EBU input would work and sound great.

My STR Preamp has some differences with the STR Integrated but they are close. I ended up ordering an Innuos Stream1 with the PheonixUSB module. Innuos recommends USB as the best connection but I don’t think I would notice a difference. There is an optional SPDIF board with AES/EBU, Coax and optical outputs.

I liked the option to install my own M.2 SSD. I am going with 4TB but it will support 8TB. Now the wait for delivery that may take awhile.